Florida State Football: 3 takeaways from shattering loss to Miami

(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
(Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
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WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 19: James Blackman #1 of the Florida State Seminoles rolls out against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the first half of their game at BB&T Field on October 19, 2019 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA – OCTOBER 19: James Blackman #1 of the Florida State Seminoles rolls out against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the first half of their game at BB&T Field on October 19, 2019 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

1. Florida State doesn’t have a QB1

The Florida State Seminoles decided to start Alex Hornibrook against the Miami Hurricanes based on the game he had against the Hurricanes in the Pinstripe Bowl. They didn’t take into account his poor play against Michigan, and others, that same season.

It stands to reason you would want a more mobile quarterback against a team that brings pressure the way the Hurricanes do. Willie Taggart, Kendall Briles and the Seminoles’ offensive staff thought Hornibrook was the right guy for the job but they were wrong.

That’s not to say that James Blackman is the right quarterback for this team either. Taggart’s offense is best with a dual-threat quarterback. Blackman is a good athlete, but he isn’t a dual-threat quarterback.

One of Taggart’s best seasons was with the South Florida Bulls and quarterback Quentin Flowers, a quarterback as dangerous with his legs as he was with his arm.

Suffice it to say, they way the Seminoles have shuffled quarterbacks, Taggart’s “guy” isn’t yet on the roster. Hornibrook and Blackman don’t fit what Taggart wants to do. Any time you run as many gimmick plays as the Seminoles did that lets you know they need a quarterback.

This might be a chance for Taggart to roll out the red carpet for Joey Gatewood.